Friday, January 30, 2009

Who doesn't LOVE Chipotle? I think I love their water as much as the buritos. I always get water with lemon and lime in it. And their sour cream.......did you know they whip it to get it to that wonderful drinkable texture? We've been trying to perfect Chipotle's at home now for several years. I had a pretty good chicken recipe that I found on a Chipotle Tabasco Sauce bottle, and then this Christmas my brother found a really good chicken recipe that tasted excellent. But today's recipe is for carnitas. When I go to Chipotle this is what I order: carnitas burrito, rice, black beans, corn salsa, lots of sour cream and cheese. I get the carnitas because it's less spicy than the chicken or barbacoa. So any way, after years of tweaking here's what we have so far.

Salt and pepper the roast. Sear on all sides. Put in crock pot.In same skillet, cook onion until soft (5 min) Add garlic and spices. Cook for 1 min more.Add chipotles and tomato sauce to deglaze pan.Pour on top of roast. Cook on low 6-8 hours. Shred roast and return to sauce.

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

This is a good blueberry muffin recipe that works well with any fruit. Tonight it was raspberries, and they tasted really good! If you squinted, the batter looked like frozen custard with raspberries. Now I'm hungry for Culvers!

Monday, January 26, 2009

Can it be Monday again? ...already?Well, here's what I have planned for the week, but my van won't start so we'll see if I can make it to the store. If not, I guess you can fill in each day with PB&J sandwiches!

Several months ago we wanted some BBQ sauce, but didn't want to make a special trip to the store for it, so we decided to make our own. We found a recipe off of the allrecipes.com website and tweaked it a bit here and there and came up with this. Since then, I haven't bought another bottle of sauce. Nothing else seems to be as good! It has a lot of ingredients, but don't let that scare you. It's really easy to make.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

I love anything with coconut milk, basil, and lime juice paired together. This dish is no exception. The heat of the green curry and the tender crunch of the green beans are great compliments to the dish.

DirectionsSet a large pot of salted water to boil. In a large bowl, combine turkey, breadcrumbs, garlic, egg, 2 tablespoons Parmesan, 1/4 cup parsley, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper; mix to combine. Using a level 1-tablespoon measure for each, form mixture into meatballs (you should have about 24).In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon butter over medium-high. Add meatballs, and cook, turning occasionally, until browned all over, 5 to 7 minutes. Add 1 1/2 cups water; simmer, stirring occasionally, until meatballs are cooked through and liquid is reduced to about 1/2 cup, 10 to 12 minutes. Add tomatoes; cook until they begin to soften, about 1 minute.Meanwhile, cook pasta in boiling water until al dente, according to package instructions. Drain, return to pot, and place on the still-warm burner. Add meatballs and sauce, remaining 1/4 cup parsley, remaining 2 tablespoons Parmesan, and remaining tablespoon butter. Season with salt and pepper, and toss until combined. Right before serving add mozzerella.

In a small bowl combine soy sauce, vinegar, and sugar.In large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon oil over med-high heat. Add cabbage, carrots, garlic, ginger, salt, and pepper. Cook, tossing until cabbage and carrots are tender (3-5 minutes).Raise heat to high; add pork and soy sauce mixture.Cook, tossing until pork is no longer pink and liquid has evaporated (5-7 minutes).Transfer to a plate to cool.Assemble egg rolls keeping covered with a damp towel.1. Place 1/3 c filling in center of wrapper. Wet edges with water.2. Fold bottom point of wrapper up over the filling and tuck it under.3. Fold both side corners in, like an envelope.4. Tightly roll up to top corner. Make sure all edges remained sealed.

Fill a sauce pan with oil so that it is 1 1/2" deep. Heat oil until it reads 350 degrees on a thermometer. Work in batches and fry egg rolls until golden, turning once.Drain on paper towel.Serve with sweet and sour sauce.

* You can substitute 1 bag of Dole coleslaw mix for the cabbage and carrots. Use the whole bag. It will wilt down once it cooks.

Hello everybody! Hope you all had a great weekend! And now we have the start of another week before us. So what are you all making this week?Here's my menu for the week. You'll see I took some helpful suggestions from you guys. Thanks!

Mix milk, sugar, and oil. Set aside.In mixer combine flour, yeast, and salt. Slowly add the milk mixture and knead until shiny and smooth, about 5 min.Place in lightly greased bowl and let rise in a warm place for 20 min until puffy and slightly risen.Heat oven to 400 degrees.Coat two 9" cake pans with 3 T of oil each. (No this is not too much oil, you have to do this!)

Cook oil and garlic in medium suacepan over low heat until fragrant, about 2 min. Add tomatoes, increase heat to medium, and cook until slightly thickened, 10-15 min. Season with salt and pepper.

AssemblyDivide dough in half, and roll each half into a ball shaping into a 9 1/2" round and press into oiled cake pan. Set in a warm place and let rise about 20 min.While dough rises, put half of pepperoni in single layer on microwave-safe plate lined with paper towels. Cover with 2 more paper towels and microwave on high for 3o seconds. Set aside.

When dough is ready, press 1 1/2 c cheese gently onto dough, ladle 2/3c sauce on top of the cheese, leaving 1/2" border. Top with pepperoni. Sprinkle with parmesan and italian seasoning. Bake for 20 min on the bottom rack. Let rest for 1 min. then transfer to cutting board and serve.

This is a great breadstick recipe that doesn't take a lot of prep time. It only needs to rise once for 15-20 min. Perfect for last minute supper plans.

Breadsticks

1 pkg yeast1 1/2 c warm water1 T honey3-4 c flour1 t salt

Dissolve yeast into warm water in mixer bowl.On medium speed, beat in honey, 3 c of flour, and salt.Add as much of the rest of the flour as needed to form a soft dough that is slightly sticky.Knead until smooth. At least 5 min.Turn out onto a floured surface and divide into 16 sections for large breadsticks.Roll each piece into a rope and arrange on parchment-lined baking sheet 1 " apart.Let rise in a warm place for 15-20 min.Brush each breadstick with melted butter and sprinkle with sea salt and garlic powder.Bake at 400 for 15 min or until golden.

Cook noodles.Soak sun-dried tomatoes in water.Cook chicken in oil and garlic until browned. Cut into bite size pieces.Remove a couple tablespoons of the tomato soaked water and add it to the cornstarch and set aside.Stir remaining tomato water, tomatoes, and pesto into the chicken. Heat through.Mix in cornstarch water and cook until thickened.Add drained noodles and toasted pinenuts.Top with feta, parmesan, and basil.

I recently finished the book Respectible Sins by Jerry Bridges. I learned so much and have a lot to work on. Before I forget all the God showed me through this book, I wanted to get some thoughts together to help reinforce what I learned. Maybe you'll find it helpful too.

The first chapter I want to summarize is on sins of the tongue.Watch this video first.

James 3:8-108 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. 10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.

Ephesians 4:2929 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

In his book, Bridges says that "any speech that tends to tear down another person-either someone we are talking about or someone we are talking to - is sinful speech." He includes lying, slander, critical speech, harsh words, insults, sarcasm, and ridicule as sins of the tongue.

gossip- the spreading of unfavorable information about someone else, even if that information is true.

Indulging in gossip seems to feed our sinful ego, especially when the information we're passing along is negative. It makes us feel self-righteous by comparison....Ephesians 4:29 not only tells us what kinds of speech to put off, it also tells us what to put on. It is only such speech that builds up and gives grace to those who hear it. Therefore, when we are tempted to gossip, we should ask ourselves, Will what I'm about to say tend to tear down or build up the person I'm about to talk about?

slander- making a false statement or misrepresentation about another person.Bridges says that we slander when we ascribe wrong motives to people, even though we can't see their hearts or know their particular circumstances.

critical speech- negative comments about someone that may be actually true but doesn't need to be said.The ?'s we should ask ourselves about these kinds of comments are Is it kind? and Is it needful? By this he mean's does it need to be said?With this sinful speech he includes, harsh words, sarcasm, insults, and ridicule. All of which tend to put down, humiliate, or hurt the other person. He points out that this type of speech most often comes from an attitude of impatience or anger.

For me, this is an area God has shown me that I need to work on. Mainly in regards to disciplining my kids. It's easy for me to use critical speech when the kids are disobeying or have done something wrong. Like after asking them to brush their teeth and they slowly putz around and I become impatient and say something like "How many times do I have to tell you to brush your teeth!" or "When are you going to learn to obey right away!" Bridges correctly points out that these kind of responses only serve to vent our impatience and humiliate the child. Yes, kids need to learn to obey their parents, but we are not to provoke them to anger.

Ephesians 6:1-41 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), 3 “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” 4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

He sums up by pointing us to Matthew 12:34- "For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks."Behind all of our sinful speech is our sinful heart. The tongue is only the instrument that reveals what is in our heart. So may I be mindful of my words and pray like David when he said-

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. -Psalm 19:14

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

For dessert tonight we had this cake. It is from a Gold-Medal flour recipe magazine that you find in the checkout lane at the grocery store. It tastes good warm or cold. And tastes even better with a cup of french press coffee!

Heat applesauce to boiling in saucepan over med-high heat. Stir in oats. Let stand 20 min.Beat butter and sugar on med speed until light and fluffy.Beat in vanilla and eggs until fluffy.Beat in applesauce mixture just until mixed.Stir in flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon, just until blended.Pour into greased 9x9 pan.Bake 40-50 min in a 350 degree oven.Meanwhile, mix together topping ingredients.When cake is done, spread over top of cake.Set oven to broil.Broil cake with top 6 inches from heat for about 2 minutes or until top is golden and bubbly being careful not to let it burn.

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

I'm jumping right in with my first post on what God has been showing me while reading the Bible. Maybe you are not this way, but in most everything I do I'm really excited about it at the start and do pretty well at it and then something happens and I usually end up totally forgetting about it. I don't want to be that way when it come to reading the Bible and learning about God and knowing Him rightly. In order to grow in godliness I need to exercise and stick with it and fight for it.

I Timothy 4:7b-10Rather train yourself for godliness; 8 for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. 9 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. 10 For to this end we toil and strive,because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.

Why do I end up giving up and not sticking with it? Because I give in to my self (flesh) and I don't persevere.

Galations 5:16-1716 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.

So how do I walk by the Spirit? By spending time in the Bible.

James 4:88 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.

Jeremiah 29:12-1312 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. 13 You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.

"You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart". I haven't been seeking with all my heart. This is where God has been giving me a desire. To seek Him with all my heart. It's changing from being a duty to being a delight, by God's grace!

The start of a new year. A chance to do things different, or better, or not at all. This year I've decided to:-drink more water each day-put things away right after using it-set a specific time/place to read my Bible and pray

I think this is a manageable list. It's not overwhelming like when you get that first look at a course syllabus and think "how will I ever get through this!"I've already got my "place" set up where I will read and pray. I'm hoping that by making a special spot in my bedroom it will remind me to sit and visit for a while. Tony and I totally re-did our bedroom. If anyone saw it before (which we never let anyone in except for maybe grandparents who were helping with laundry) you would know that our bedroom was anything but inviting. There was just enough room to walk from the door, around the bed, to the bathroom. But now........there is nothing but floor space, and I love being in there. The kids love being in there too. It's like we added on another room. All this to say, I hope I can establish a routine of reading and praying in there before the newness wears off. Accountability helps, so feel free to ask how I've been doing. I hope to post what I'm reading/learning about too.

Monday, January 5, 2009

So I have a really hard time planning meals for the week. I get stuck on the same meals and can't figure out another way to make chicken look/taste different. Let's share with each other either what you have planned for this week or what you made last week.

(note: if it tastes too acidic, you can try adding a 1/4 tsp of baking soda)

The above by itself is pretty good. But if you ask me, this soup is all about the croutons.

What I did was buy a good foccacia bread that is topped with as much asiago cheese as you can find. (Or I suppose you could buy a loaf of Panera's Asiago bread, but then you might as well go ahead and buy yourself some soup while you are there.) Cut the bread into one inch chunks and spread them in a single layer on a cookie sheet. Drizzle with olive oil, toss, and bake in a 200 degree oven until they are dried out and crunchy.

Top them on your soup and you could garnish with asiago or parmesian cheese.

If you try this and you've had Panera's version, let me know what you think. What would make it better?

We had a New Year's party at church where we played games and spent some time in prayer for the new year. Everyone was asked to bring a game and a snack. I brought these appetizers that I've been wanting to try since I first tasted them at a Sysco Food show a few years ago. I don't know what they are called, so maybe you can help me name them.

Here's what they look like.And here's how I made them.

Brush 4 sheets of phyllo dough with melted butter and stack them. Cut into 3" squares and press into mini muffin tins. Bake at 350 for 8-10 min until golden.Let cool then add a tsp of cream cheese and top with a little pepper jelly.

You can serve as is, or warm them back up in the oven for another 3-5 min.

The phyllo dough gets so flaky and buttery. And the cream cheese paired with the pepper jelly is perfect!We all decided they taste like cream cheese wontons that have been dipped in sweet and sour sauce. Yummy!

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Welcome to my blog!

Thanks for stopping by. This blog is a place for me to record all about life in my home: kid sayings, craft projects, recipes, thrifty ideas. Feel free to look around, I won't think you're being a stalker.